Colonial Van Lines Review (2025): Cost & Customer Feedback
Here’s the bottom line: Colonial Van Lines is a nationwide moving company that specializes in long-distance and interstate moves. They provide a wide range of services, including packing, storage, and auto transport. With decades of experience and a focus on full-service relocations, Colonial aims to make moving less stressful for individuals, families, and businesses.
- Industry-trained crews
- In-app quote & booking
- Specialty services
- Dedicated relocation specialists
- Residential, commercial & military moves
While they generally receive positive reviews for their customer service and professional crews, some Colonial customers have reported issues with delivery times and final pricing. As with any mover, your experience can vary depending on your specific move details and the third-party agents involved.
Here are some key strengths and potential drawbacks to consider:
What Colonial Van Lines does well:
- Nationwide service coverage: They can handle interstate moves across all 50 states.
- Comprehensive moving services: Offers full packing, storage, and auto transport.
- Free virtual and phone estimates: No-cost quotes via virtual walkthroughs or phone consultations.
- Experienced crews and partners: Many customers report polite, efficient movers.
- Corporate and military move expertise: Handles employee relocations and PCS moves regularly.
Where Colonial Van Lines falls short:
- No local moving services: Doesn’t handle short-distance moves.
- Variable pricing and third-party agents: Subcontracting may lead to service inconsistencies.
- Deposits required to book: Expect 10%–40% upfront, depending on the move.
This Colonial Van Lines review covers everything you need to know about the company — including pricing, services, customer reviews, and comparisons with other top movers.
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Our track record
Pros & cons of Colonial Van Lines
- Climate-controlled storage units
- App for ordering boxes and packing supplies
- Move for Hunger donation partnership
- Discounts on boxes and moving supplies
- No online estimates (must call or submit form)
- No local moves
Compare Colonial Van Lines with top movers
| Company | Cost | Our Rating | BBB Rating | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonial Van Lines | $$$ | 4.7/5 | A+ | 10%–40% |
| Safeway Moving | $$$ | 4.8/5 | B- | 10%–50% |
| Mayzlin Relocation | $$ | 4.9/5 | B+ | 25% |
| American Van Lines | $$$ | 4.5/5 | A- | 10%–50% |
| BLVD Moving | $$$$ | 4.25/5 | A | 10% (min $100) |
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Colonial Van Lines pricing: How much does it cost?
Expect to pay between $4,000 and $8,000+ for long-distance moves. Quotes are free and offered via phone or virtual walkthroughs. Flat-rate pricing may be available if your inventory doesn’t change. Ask about extra fees for stairs, long-carry distances, or supplies.
Deposits range from 10% to 40%.
Pricing is influenced by several factors, including the total mileage, weight of your items, service level (e.g., packing or storage), and your move date. For example, moving a three-bedroom home from New York to Texas may fall in the $6,500–$7,500 range, while a smaller apartment move from Florida to Georgia might cost closer to $4,000.
Colonial Van Lines does not currently offer instant online quotes, so be prepared to provide a full inventory list or schedule a virtual walkthrough to receive a tailored estimate. In some cases, they may also offer binding estimates, which means the quoted price won’t change as long as your item list remains accurate.
Keep in mind that moves scheduled during peak season (May–September) typically come with higher rates. Likewise, additional services like full packing, storage-in-transit, or transporting specialty items (e.g., pianos or fitness equipment) will add to your final bill.
Money-saving tip:
Ask if they offer discounts for military members, senior citizens, or corporate relocations. Also, check if you’re eligible for a bundled discount by combining multiple services like packing and storage.
Colonial Van Lines offers a wide variety of services
- Full-service packing: From dishes to dressers
- Storage solutions: Short- and long-term options
- Corporate relocation: Office and employee moves
- Auto transport: Shipment of personal vehicles across long distances, including coordination with third-party carriers.
- Military relocations: PCS moves that meet military requirements, with flexible timing and secure handling.
- Interstate and cross-country moves: Licensed to operate moves across state lines in the continental U.S.
- Custom crating: Protective crating for fragile, oversized, or high-value items like antiques or artwork.
- Unpacking and debris removal: Optional service to help you settle in faster by removing boxes and packing waste.
- Virtual estimates: No in-home visit required — get a quote through video call or guided virtual walkthrough.
What customers had to say about Colonial Van Lines
Colonial is praised for professional crews and strong communication, especially on long-distance moves. However, some customers report issues with final pricing and delivery delays.
Kallie, one of our Better Moves Project participants, recalled that her 1,100-mile cross-country move with Colonial was smooth but communication felt inconsistent and pricing was higher than expected.
Here’s a look at some online feedback from Better Business Bureau, Google, and Trustpilot:
“Really great experience – streamlined quoting process and all my furniture arrived on time and in good condition.”
— Nolan O., BBB
“Communication was stellar. Movers arrived on time on both ends of the move based on what they told us. The movers were very respectful of my property and my family. Overall, the experience was great.”
— Jeremy B., Trustpilot
“Everybody was very pleasant to work with. Good communication. Solid paper work. Response time was mediocre. Their quote was competitive with the top 10 movers in the USA… Weight estimation could be improved by utilizing a video call for survey. My cost went up by almost $1,000 because the street was 400+ feet from my door and because, at the time of pickup, it was deemed my boxes were ‘heavier than anticipated’. Other than this cost hike — which was logical but just an unwelcome surprise on move day — other things were smooth.”
— TP., Trustpilot
“Very careful with my mother’s belongings in a move from Ohio to Tennessee. However, they took five hours to pack a truck with an apartment that was 80% already packed. They were two days later than they said they would be…. There were several things broken and/or missing that will be turned into the company [as a claim]….”
— James M., Google
How Colonial Van Lines stacks up against the competition
Colonial Van Lines is a great option for full-service, long-distance moves. But depending on what matters most to you — budget, flexibility, storage, or something else — other companies might come out ahead.
Here’s how Colonial compares to other highly rated movers:
| Company | Our Rating | BBB Score | State Availability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonial Van Lines | 4.85/5 | A | 48 states | Full-service long-distance |
| Mayzlin Relocation | 4.5/5 | B+ | 48 states | Personalized service |
| Safeway Moving | 4.9/5 | A- | 50 states | Overall value |
| American Van Lines | 4.2/5 | A+ | 48 states | Experienced movers |
Colonial Van Lines vs. Mayzlin Relocation
If you’re looking for personalized service and clear communication throughout your move, Mayzlin Relocation stands out. As a family-owned business, they’re known for their hands-on approach and strong customer relationships. They also tend to offer more competitive pricing, which can be a major plus if you’re moving on a tight budget, and are a top pick for military moves based on their customer service and efficient relocation process.
Colonial Van Lines, on the other hand, is a larger operation with broader service availability and strong delivery coordination. They’re a great fit for customers who want an established, full-service mover with national reach.
Read our full Mayzlin Relocation review
rating
4.9 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Colonial Van Lines vs. Safeway Moving
Safeway is actually our overall choice for best interstate mover, mainly due to its fair and accurate pricing paired with quality service. The company uses flat-rate pricing across the board, which can make budgeting easier.However, Colonial often provides a more personalized service experience, particularly for customers who prefer direct communication with a move coordinator and ongoing support throughout the process.
While Safeway is known for efficiency and pricing transparency, Colonial’s hands-on approach can be especially helpful for complex or high-stress moves. They’re also more likely to walk customers through each stage — from quote to delivery — offering tailored recommendations based on the specifics of your relocation.
Read our full Safeway Moving review
rating
4.85 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Colonial Van Lines vs. American Van Lines
Colonial Van Lines is generally the more affordable option for long-distance moves, especially for standard household relocations. They provide solid customer support and flexible services like full packing, storage, and auto transport. Colonial is a good fit for customers who want reliable service and nationwide reach without paying premium rates.
American Van Lines (AVL), by contrast, is known for employing full-time, background-checked moving crews who receive regular training, making them a strong choice for moves involving antiques, pianos, fine art, or other fragile and high-value items. Their consistent team structure and specialty moving services make AVL ideal if you’re transporting anything that requires expert handling and extra care.
Go with AVL if your priority is professional-grade packing and protection. Choose Colonial if you’re looking for dependable service at a slightly lower cost, especially for standard cross-country moves that don’t require white-glove handling.
Read our full American Van Lines review
rating
4.5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
How moving with Colonial Van Lines works
- The quote process: Start by requesting a free quote online or by calling a Colonial representative. You’ll be asked to provide details like your move date, current and destination addresses, and an itemized inventory list. You can also schedule a virtual walkthrough using your phone, which helps improve pricing accuracy and speed up the estimate.
- Booking and confirmation: Once you accept the quote, you’ll pay a deposit (typically 10%–40%) to reserve your spot. You’ll receive a confirmation email and, in most cases, a follow-up call from a move coordinator who becomes your primary contact throughout the process.
- Before moving day: Colonial typically reaches out a few days before the move to confirm details, verify your inventory, and answer last-minute questions. This is a good time to confirm potential extra charges (stairs, long carry, etc.), declutter and downsize, and make sure everything is packed or ready for the movers.
- On moving day: A moving crew — either from Colonial or a vetted partner — arrives at your location, usually on time and in uniform. They’ll review your inventory and begin packing or loading based on the services selected. Colonial crews are often praised for their professionalism and efficiency, but be sure to oversee final item counts and walkthroughs.
- In transit and delivery window: For long-distance moves, delivery typically occurs within three to 14 business days, depending on the distance and schedule. Federal regulations allow up to 30 days for delivery before it’s considered late. Colonial or their agent should provide regular updates and confirm delivery windows in advance.
- Unloading and inspection: Upon delivery, the crew will unload your belongings and, if you opted for unpacking services, assist with furniture setup and box removal. Before signing off, inspect your items for any damage and take photos if needed.
- Claims and issues: If anything is lost or damaged, notify Colonial as soon as possible and begin the claims process. Basic liability coverage is included by default, but you can purchase full-value protection for more comprehensive coverage. Claims typically must be filed within a specific time frame, so review your contract carefully.
FAQ
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